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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class vs Volvo XC90

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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

$114,985 - $254,800

2021 price

Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90

$56,999 - $119,990

2021 price

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
2021 Volvo XC90
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 6, 3.0L

S/C & T/C 4CYL, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
9.2L/100km (combined)

8.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

7
Dislikes
  • Hard lower door plastics
  • Could make even more noise
  • High fuel consumption

  • Hybrid battery could be bigger
  • Media screen is overly busy
  • Charging cable storage bag seem an afterthought
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Summary

It’s fair to say Mercedes-AMG GLS63 buyers really want it all; good looks, cutting-edge technology, seven-seat practicality, leading safety and V8 performance to name a few key desirables. And, lucky for them, the new model is finally here.

Yep, the latest GLS63 is yet another exercise in excess, leaving very little to be desired by its buyers. Indeed, it ticks almost every box when it comes to a utility vehicle that well and truly puts the sports in Sports Utility Vehicle.

But, of course, this raises questions over whether or not the GLS63 is trying to do too much. And given this model does a whole lot more than its predecessor, these questions need to be answered again. Read on.

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2021 Volvo XC90 Summary

The last time I reviewed a plug-in hybrid Volvo I pretty much got death threats. OK, not quite, but my review and video of the XC60 R Design T8 made some readers and viewers very angry and they even called me names, all because I never charged the battery. Well, there’ll be no need for me to flee to a safe house this time, because not only did I charge the XC90 R-Design T8 Recharge I’m reviewing here, but I plugged it in nearly all the time I wasn’t driving it. Happy now?

I say nearly all the time, because during the three-week test of this plug-in hybrid XC 90 we took it away on a family holiday and didn’t have access to power and you’ll most likely face that situation too as an owner.

So how was the fuel economy of this big seven-seat SUV PHEV over hundreds of kilometres and being used as a family workhorse? The result blew me away and I can see why people were so furious with me in the first place.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class 2021 Volvo XC90

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